Have we really tapped the full power of IT and Internet?

Despite the fact that Singapore is one of the best-wired nations in the world, i think the power of personal computers and internet still has not been fully tapped.

Generally, most offices still handle lots of paper documents while there are already soft copies stored in the hard-disks and backed up in various data storage media. Utilities and telecommunications companies still send out millions of bills every month when many families already have at least an email account where they can just email a soft copy of the monthly bills. Customers can be given an option to choose a soft or hard copy of the bill. The cost savings which is rather substantial considering the gigantic customer base, can be ploughed back to the consumers in return, perhaps by giving a 5% rebate or some other forms of tangible benefits. With this, it also makes the environment greener.

Secondly, people are still not too comfortable performing transactions especially financial ones, over the internet where internet insecurity is something most people fear. It probably will take the next generation to be more IT-savvy and IT-integrated, where online shopping even for groceries would be a norm in future, especially when most young professionals would spend a big chunk of their waking hours in front of the computer screen.